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Three Stars of the Week: Oct. 26-Nov. 1
Alphabetical Listing
Position Listing
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Fantasy Updates
  Green hurt during Friday's game
Mike Green, D WAS
News: Capitals defensemen Mike Green (upper body) and Jeff Schultz (lower body) were hurt Friday against the Panthers and did not return. Coach Bruce Boudreau said their status would be updated Saturday. "Really good teams usually have to play with a lot of injuries, because their guys are willing to pay the price of winning," Boudreau said. "I just hope our price wasn't too high." Green had no points in 2:44 of ice time and Schultz had no points in 7:27.
Analysis: Green dealt with some shoulder problems late last season and rehabbed over the summer. You really hope his latest setback is unrelated because it could be an issue that lingers. Green continues to be a standout offensive player from the blue line and a must-start Fantasy option. If he doesn't play Saturday, then he is an injury-risk start for Week 6 (Nov. 9-15).
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Luongo targeting Tuesday return
Roberto Luongo, G VAN
News: The Vancouver Sun reports Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo, who missed a sixth straight game on Friday against the Stars due to a broken rib, is targeting a Tuesday return to the lineup as Vancouver play St. Louis. The Canucks are calling the St. Louis game a "soft target" for their All-Star goalie's return. "I feel pretty good, but I haven't taken any (high) shots yet," Luongo said after his Thursday workout. "It's getting better every day."
Analysis: Luongo has been taking mostly lower-body shots in preparing for his return. While it will take six weeks for the rib injury to totally heal, doctors said Luongo can play after two weeks as long as the pain is manageable. His chest protector has been modified to pad his left side and protect the injury. Luongo is warrior and wants to be back on the ice. It does appear as though he could play in Week 6 (Nov. 9-15), but there is still some risk with starting the high-end Fantasy goalie.
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Ovechkin out for weekend series
Alex Ovechkin, LW WAS
News: Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin missed a second consecutive game on Friday against the Panthers because of an upper body injury. NHL.com reports Ovechkin skated during Thursday's practice, but admitted he would not play this weekend. He has been scratched for Saturday's rematch with Florida. His status will be updated early next week before the Capitals host the Islanders on Wednesday. "It's only three or four days, so you can't be better right away," Ovechkin said after skating in Thursday's practice. "You need more time. We'll see. Two more games and then we'll see."
Analysis: Ovechkin is believed to be nursing a left shoulder injury. "He's feeling a little bit better every day, but as percentages or degrees, I don't know," head coach Bruce Boudreau said Friday morning. "He might be one percent better, but he says it's feeling better. It's going to take time. He wants to play, but you've got to think, 'OK, if he takes a major hit on it and it's not 100 percent it's just going to put him behind the eight ball for three or four weeks.' We don't want that." Ovechkin hasn't been able to move his left arm freely and pretty much skated Thursday for conditioning purposes. A lot could change before Wednesday, but right now Ovechkin is looking like an injury-risk start for Week 6 (Nov. 9-15). He is a must-start Fantasy option when healthy.
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Liles suffers another shoulder injury
John-Michael Liles, D COL
News: Avalanche D John-Michael Liles injured his shoulder in the first period Friday against the Blackhawks and didn't return. He had no points in 3:52 of ice time. He has been held off the stat sheet in his last four games since returning from a bruised right shoulder.
Analysis: It definitely appears as though Liles could have suffered a setback with the same injury that kept him out seven games earlier this season. These setbacks have been hard to stomach for Fantasy owners since Liles was off to a great start this season. He can still be a viable Fantasy option when healthy, but could be an injury-risk start for Week 6 (Nov. 9-15), if not back by Sunday against the Oilers.
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Hawks cautious with Toews
Jonathan Toews, C CHI
News: Chicago was without one of their young stars on Friday against the Avalanche as captain Jonathan Toews missed a sixth straight game with a concussion. Before the game, Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said Toews is "doing much better every day" but the team is taking a cautious approach.
Analysis: The Blackhawks get a few days off before playing again on Monday against the Kings. If Chicago is truly taking a cautious approach, Toews probably won't be on the ice. Consider the high-end Fantasy option an injury-risk start for Week 6 (Nov. 9-15).
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Whitney scratched vs. Toronto
Ray Whitney, LW CAR
News: Hurricanes LW Ray Whitney was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Maple Leafs with an upper-body injury. NHL.com reports him as day to day.
Analysis: Whitney did practice on Friday and was a game-time decision, but Carolina opted on the side of caution and kept the veteran forward sidelined. Whitney has struggled like many Hurricanes in 2009-10. He has four goals and eight points in 14 games. Not bad production, but we know Whitney can do better. If he doesn't play Saturday, then consider him an injury-risk start for Week 6 (Nov. 9-15). He is a No. 3 or No. 4 Fantasy forward when active.
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Staal out 2-4 weeks
Eric Staal, C CAR
News: According to the Hurricanes official Web site, center Eric Staal is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with an upper-body injury suffered during Sunday's game against the Sharks. He missed a second straight game on Friday against the Maple Leafs.
Analysis: The Hurricanes haven't placed Staal on injured reserve yet, but it doesn't appear he will be back in the coming days. Keep him reserved for Fantasy Week 6 (Nov. 9-15). Staal is a high-end Fantasy forward when healthy despite his slow start.
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 Devils finally play Elias on Friday
Patrik Elias, LW NJ
News: Friday's 2-1 win against the Islanders marked the return of Patrik Elias to the Devils' lineup. He missed the first 13 coming back from hip and groin surgery and played well, nearly scoring in each of the first two periods. He finished with no points and a minus-1 rating in 16:01 of ice time. "I felt good for being out for the first time in five months," Elias said. "When he's at his best he is going to help our team," Devils coach Jacques Lemaire said.
Analysis: The Devils might be a little cautious with Elias and not play him on consecutive nights off the bat, so don't be surprised if that happens. Elias had 31 goals and 78 points in 77 games last season. He is transitioning to a new system under Jacques Lemaire, and since he didn't get a lot of ice time in the preseason, he might need some time to adjust. Still, Elias can be a viable Fantasy option when healthy.
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Hedman won't be playing Saturday
Victor Hedman, D TB
News: Lightning rookie D Victor Hedman will not be in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Canadiens following a body check by Ottawa's Chris Neil that left him flattened on the ice. The 18-year-old player was helped off ice and did not return to the game. Hedman says it was a clean hit and he must learn to keep his head up.
Analysis: Hedman's offensive output has slowed down a little after his blistering start, but he's still worth using in deeper leagues a Fantasy flier when healthy. Hopefully he'll be back on the ice soon.
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Forsberg denies KHL report
Peter Forsberg, C COL
News: TSN reports that former NHL star Peter Forsberg has not signed with a KHL, as reported on Thursday. Forsberg has stated he will wait until after the Karjala Cup, which the 36-year old is currently participating in.
Analysis: Well, you seasonal owners who are stashing Forsberg away might want to hold on to the veteran for now after all. If he had signed with a KHL team, he would have been ineligible to play in the NHL this season, but he's still apparently up for grabs.
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Winchester back from AHL stint
Jesse Winchester, C OTT
News: NHL.com reports the Senators have gotten back forward Jesse Winchester from Binghamton of the AHL after he was loaned to them on a two-week conditioning assignment.
Analysis: Winchester, 26, sustained a right-knee injury in a preseason loss to Montreal on Sept. 18 and has yet to see regular-season action with Ottawa. In four games with the B-Sens, he recorded four points (two goals and two assists) and no penalty minutes. Winchester had three goals and 18 points in 76 games last season. He is a good checking-line presence but that doesn't help Fantasy owners much. Winchester has minimal Fantasy appeal when healthy.
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Laraque placed on injured reserve
Georges Laraque, RW MON
News: Canadiens RW Georges Laraque has been placed on injured reserve with a back injury. He has not played since Oct. 20.
Analysis: Laraque has also been a healthy scratch since the last time he played, but it's still a shame to see him have back problems after it kept him sidelined for a long period in 2008-09. Laraque has either been injured or ineffective since coming to Montreal last season. He should be kept reserved in Fantasy until further notice. Laraque remains a flier in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
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Schultz suffers lower-body injury
Jeff Schultz, D WAS
News: Capitals defensemen Mike Green (upper body) and Jeff Schultz (lower body) were hurt Friday against the Panthers and did not return. Coach Bruce Boudreau said their status would be updated Saturday. "Really good teams usually have to play with a lot of injuries, because their guys are willing to pay the price of winning," Boudreau said. "I just hope our price wasn't too high." Green had no points in 2:44 of ice time and Schultz had no points in 7:27.
Analysis: Schultz has been a surprise offensive contributor from the Capitals' blue line with five points in his first 12 games. Unfortunately, we doubt his success will continue since he does his best work on defense. Despite the fast start, Schultz has low-end Fantasy appeal when healthy. Schultz is best used in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for short-handed stats and plus/minus rating.
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Anderson wins after getting game off
Craig Anderson, G COL
News: Craig Anderson returned to the net after receiving a rare night off and lead Colorado to a 4-3 shootout win on Friday against the Blackhawks. The Avalanche goalie stopped 29 shots, including a vital save in overtime when he turned back Patrick Sharp's shot. He rallied back from a 2-0 deficit and allowed only Patrick Kane to score in the shootout while he outlasted Antti Niemi in eight rounds.
Analysis: Anderson had his string of 15 straight starts interrupted Wednesday night when he was spelled by Peter Budaj, who was back after a bout with swine flu. While Budaj was solid in a 4-1 win, there was no way he was supplanting Anderson on a full-time basis. Anderson has emerged as a No. 1 Fantasy goalie. The Avs TG is also a high-end option.
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Niemi loses in eighth round of SH
Antti Niemi, G CHI
News: Chris Stewart scored in the eighth round of the shootout past Antti Niemi, helping the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche remain unbeaten at home with a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. Chicago had two quality cracks at knocking in the winner in the final minute of regulation, but John Madden's shot sailed just wide of the net and Tomas Kopecky sent one over the goal. Niemi had a chance to preserve the win in the shootout, only to have Colorado's final shooter, Marek Svatos, score high on him to force extra rounds. Niemi finished with 19 saves.
Analysis: Niemi is winless in his last two outings after winning his first three. He hasn't played much the last few weeks since Cristobal Huet is finally living up to expectations. Still, Niemi has done enough to instill faith in the coaching staff as the team's top backup. Niemi is a decent No. 3 Fantasy goalie or flier in leagues that use average points per game. The Blackhawks TG is a low-end No. 1/high-end No. 2 Fantasy option.
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Hendricks fights in 1st game back
Matt Hendricks, C COL
News: Matt Hendricks was activated before Friday's game against Chicago from the injured reserve and wasted no time getting into a scuffle. Barely two minutes into the game, Hendricks and Colin Fraser exchanged some shoves near the Chicago bench. Both were sent to the bench to serve five minutes for fighting. Hendricks has missed the last five games with a groin injury. He had no points in 7:15 of ice time.
Analysis: Hendricks has just one goal in 12 games this season. He has primarily been dressing as a lower-line forward. He is best used in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
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